Microsoft's 'Native' Copilot for Windows: A Step Towards Integration, But Not Fully There Yet

Microsoft's New Copilot App: Native or Not?

Microsoft has recently announced the rollout of a new 'native' Copilot app for Windows, replacing the previous progressive web app (PWA) version. This move is part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to integrate AI capabilities more deeply into its operating system. However, the claim of the app being truly 'native' has sparked some debate in the tech community 1

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The Reality Behind the 'Native' Claim

Despite Microsoft's assertion, closer examination reveals that the new Copilot app is not entirely native to Windows. While the container for the app is now native, the core functionality still relies on web technologies:

1. The app loads content from copilot.microsoft.com 1

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2. It uses WebView2, the rendering engine that powers Microsoft Edge 1

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3. Only the menu in the title bar and the About screen are truly native to Windows 1

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This hybrid approach has led some to describe the new Copilot as "a native app that opens a web app" 2

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New Features and Functionality

Despite the controversy over its 'native' status, the new Copilot app does introduce some notable improvements:

1. Quick View Interface: Users can now access Copilot using the Alt+Spacebar shortcut, bringing up a smaller window for quick interactions 1

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2. System Tray Integration: The app now appears in the Windows system tray, enhancing accessibility 1

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3. Customizable Window: Users can move and resize the Copilot window according to their preferences 2

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4. Dedicated Copilot Key: Some PCs now feature a dedicated key to quickly launch Copilot 3

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Rollout and Availability

The new Copilot app is currently being rolled out to Windows Insiders through the Microsoft Store, with the app version 1.24112.123.0 and higher 3

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The Bigger Picture

This update to Copilot is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to integrate AI capabilities across its product ecosystem. Recent developments include:

1. Copilot Vision: An AI companion integrated into the Edge browser that observes user internet searches 1

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2. AI-powered Recall: A new feature currently in preview 3

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Implications and Future Outlook

While the new Copilot app represents progress in Microsoft's AI integration efforts, it also highlights the challenges of fully incorporating web-based AI services into desktop operating systems. As Microsoft continues to develop Copilot, users can expect further refinements and potentially more native features in future updates.

The debate around Copilot's 'native' status underscores the evolving nature of software development, where the lines between web and desktop applications are increasingly blurred. As AI becomes more central to operating systems, we may see new paradigms emerge in how these technologies are integrated and presented to users.